Database Users

[Q] KitKat soft brick. verizon unauthorized software found.

So I was able to root for the first time with Towelroot. That was successful and the I downloaded the clockwork mod and rom manager to attempt to flash Cyanogenmod. however after installing those two apps I restarted and when it booted up it now only shows the error message "System software not authorized by Verizon Wireless has been found on your phone. Please turn off your phone and go to the nearest Verizon Wireless store for help. I do believe that I created a backup on my SD card but I cannot access it and I cant seem to be able to even use Odin to get my phone back to stock Kit Kat firmware. Can somebody please help figure out how to get my phone to boot back up and hopefully keep my root intact?

If your on a retail note, you can't run cm so you would need to Odin back to stock nc4 and re root with towel root and install safe strap recovery . If on developer note 3 dis regard and wait for someone with a dev phone to answer.?

thanks
Okay thanks but wouldn't that just put me back into a bootloop again? using safestrap and towelroot put me in this situation and I don't know what caused this issue and I would like to avoid it at all if possible on my next attempt. Is it because I didn't unlock the bootloader?

Tay-lin said:
Okay thanks but wouldn't that just put me back into a bootloop again? using safestrap and towelroot put me in this situation and I don't know what caused this issue and I would like to avoid it at all if possible on my next attempt. Is it because I didn't unlock the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't unlock the bootloader on a retail Note 3.
Towelroot and Safe strap didn't get you in this situation.
You need to do a bit more research and read up before continuing.
All we have is root.
Safe strap is needed to run custom roms.
There are no custom kernels available since the bootloaders locked.
So don't try to use cwm.
Try to get your phone in download mode and odin the stock tar then root again and install Safstrap 3.75 build 4.

[Q] NOOB trying to update MK2 firmware to Lollipop

As the Title states I have been trying to flash to Lollipop using the thread Update to lollipop and keep root using Flashfire app. I have downloaded and followed the procedure (yes I am rooted and confirmed with RootBasic) with it failing.
What happens is I load the files in order stated per the guide hit the lightning bolt, does the reboot and then gives error no command and then sits at stock flash update where you can either reboot, flash file or few other choices. I have tried numerous times with each time same result. What is going wrong? As I stated on am on MK2 firmware with ATT update frozen so not sure why this is. When put in download mode I confirm Knox 0 and Offical software with it having 0x30 for bootloader. Any suggestions or should I ODIN update but with what?

Frankpjr said:
As the Title states I have been trying to flash to Lollipop using the thread Update to lollipop and keep root using Flashfire app. I have downloaded and followed the procedure (yes I am rooted and confirmed with RootBasic) with it failing.
What happens is I load the files in order stated per the guide hit the lightning bolt, does the reboot and then gives error no command and then sits at stock flash update where you can either reboot, flash file or few other choices. I have tried numerous times with each time same result. What is going wrong? As I stated on am on MK2 firmware with ATT update frozen so not sure why this is. When put in download mode I confirm Knox 0 and Offical software with it having 0x30 for bootloader. Any suggestions or should I ODIN update but with what?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We just discovered this morning on the Vz S4 that FF does not function properly on their MK2(4.2) firmware which is likely also the issue here. You will first need to update to KitKat using the following file then root with towel root before updating to 5.0: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23501681358548937

Before I proceed to KitKat with file linked to is there a guide to properly performing this and then rooting? I will update from MK2 to NB 1 then I need to root, then do the FlashFire and Lollipop undate. I see the guide to use ODIN but then I will have to root I also have not used towel root either so any guide would be awesome. This should not change KNOX either correct (although I guess it does not matter since I am long out of warranty)?
I want to have a clear understanding of procedure so I don't brick the phone! I have not used ODIN before since I haven't really done much rooting other than when I first got the replacement phone last year

I'd suggest [GUIDE]Odin to Stock, Updating, Rooting, and Installing Safestrap by guut13, and of course [How-To] Update to I337_OC3 - 5.0.1 and KeepRoot (4/7/2015) by muniz_ri for rooted Lollipop. Look in the I337 General forum for both.

Thanks Creepyncrawly and muniz_ri for both of your help it was easy to update from MK2 for this noob!
Ok I followed the guide and did update to stock nb1 and rooted, used towel root and then used flashfire to Lollipop and all seems to be working (I still am in process of setting phone up but it is running lollipop).
Since this is oc3 rooted is there anything else I have to do such as freeze att update? Anything else I should do right away?

I337UCUGOC3 bootloader locked, want to update to I337UCUGOK2 to unlock bootloader

I hit on UPDATE on the phone for an OTA update but it only says UNABLE TO CONNECT AT&T SERVER. When I bought it, it had 5.0.1 (I337UCUGOC3) out of the box. Searching on internet says that is bootloader locked (so I cant do anything).
- Can I Update to I337UCUGOK2 and bootloader will be unlocked (I mean, will I be able to do it)?
- Does anyone know where can I grab I337UCUGOK2 for offline install and is it ODIN safe to update it (remember I have I337UCUGOC3 bootloader locked)?
please help

Once the bootloader is locked, it will always be locked until someone finds a way to unlock it. Updating the bootloader will not allow it to be unlocked.

cybercuate said:
I hit on UPDATE on the phone for an OTA update but it only says UNABLE TO CONNECT AT&T SERVER. When I bought it, it had 5.0.1 (I337UCUGOC3) out of the box. Searching on internet says that is bootloader locked (so I cant do anything).
- Can I Update to I337UCUGOK2 and bootloader will be unlocked (I mean, will I be able to do it)?
- Does anyone know where can I grab I337UCUGOK2 for offline install and is it ODIN safe to update it (remember I have I337UCUGOC3 bootloader locked)?
please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking/exploiting the bootloader for the AT&T is still in process, I think.
Bootloader locked means you can not install custom recovery like TWRP, CWM or custom kernel. You can still root, you can still use odin and you can still install custom rom using either safestrp or flashfire.
Here is the thread explaining how to upgrade stock or rooted stock roms.
The explanation starts from installation of NB1 firmware so that you can easily root the phone by using twolroot.
If you do not care for the root you can start reading from the step 2 "Flash update in stock recovery"
Since you are on OC3, you need OC3 to OC4 and OC4 to OK2 files to get OK2.

help... I want to RMA it
sway8966 said:
Unlocking/exploiting the bootloader for the AT&T is still in process, I think.
Bootloader locked means you can not install custom recovery like TWRP, CWM or custom kernel. You can still root, you can still use odin and you can still install custom rom using either safestrp or flashfire.
Here is the thread explaining how to upgrade stock or rooted stock roms.
The explanation starts from installation of NB1 firmware so that you can easily root the phone by using twolroot.
If you do not care for the root you can start reading from the step 2 "Flash update in stock recovery"
Since you are on OC3, you need OC3 to OC4 and OC4 to OK2 files to get OK2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everywhere says I need a kitkat rom as base.
My s4 came with 5.0.1 with OC3 and bootloader locked out of the box. I tried some post where says I can flash TWRP and CWM but my phone stucked on bootloops. Then I managed to get back to stock rom and now when I want to turn it on it says " SAMSUNG (and lower on the screen) Custom"
Camera began to fail and I want to return it as RMA but I was looking to reset the flash counter but every post I read is that OC3 bootloader locked users are just doomed.
Do you know a method that I can do for reset that counter?
Camera dont focus anymore and I tried all the posts about safemode, etc.

cybercuate said:
Everywhere says I need a kitkat rom as base.
My s4 came with 5.0.1 with OC3 and bootloader locked out of the box. I tried some post where says I can flash TWRP and CWM but my phone stucked on bootloops. Then I managed to get back to stock rom and now when I want to turn it on it says " SAMSUNG (and lower on the screen) Custom"
Camera began to fail and I want to return it as RMA but I was looking to reset the flash counter but every post I read is that OC3 bootloader locked users are just doomed.
Do you know a method that I can do for reset that counter?
Camera dont focus anymore and I tried all the posts about safemode, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing TWRP and CWM is for the AT&T S4 with older bootloader (MDL, MDB). After that two firmware versions the bootloader is locked.
For AT&T S4 the last full firmware released is NB1. After that they released incremental updates via OTA. That is why you need kitkat (NB1) as base.
For NB1, Muniz uploaded two firmwares. One is the stock and the other is rootable stock. Try the stock one and see you still have the custom symbol.
To reset the counter, there is an app calls Triangle away by Chainfire. However, it does not work on AT&T S4 with locked bootloader.

Trying Odin-Stock NB1
sway8966 said:
Unlocking/exploiting the bootloader for the AT&T is still in process, I think.
Bootloader locked means you can not install custom recovery like TWRP, CWM or custom kernel. You can still root, you can still use odin and you can still install custom rom using either safestrp or flashfire.
Here is the thread explaining how to upgrade stock or rooted stock roms.
The explanation starts from installation of NB1 firmware so that you can easily root the phone by using twolroot.
If you do not care for the root you can start reading from the step 2 "Flash update in stock recovery"
Since you are on OC3, you need OC3 to OC4 and OC4 to OK2 files to get OK2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sway8966 said:
Flashing TWRP and CWM is for the AT&T S4 with older bootloader (MDL, MDB). After that two firmware versions the bootloader is locked.
For AT&T S4 the last full firmware released is NB1. After that they released incremental updates via OTA. That is why you need kitkat (NB1) as base.
For NB1, Muniz uploaded two firmwares. One is the stock and the other is rootable stock. Try the stock one and see you still have the custom symbol.
To reset the counter, there is an app calls Triangle away by Chainfire. However, it does not work on AT&T S4 with locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I'll try Odin it with the stock rom from your link. I'll post news here when it finish flashing

1st part - Success
I'm on 4.4.2 NB1, flash counter back to normal but still bootloader locked
Now I have to go back to OC3 to RMA it.
OTA does nothing, smartswitch shows no updates neither kies.
I'll have to Odin it back to OC3
Can I have some help?

And Success. I'm back on stock OC3 no root.
time to RMA
- camera still doesn't focus
- boot screen is back to normal but when in odin mode the counter shows 0x1
- sometimes shows "sim card could not be detected" or similar messages and force me to restart the phone (just happend 2 times until now, never happend before)
I followed this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s4-att/general/guide-odin-to-stock-updating-rooting-t2926642
Post 2
Thanks to sway8966

Phone Stuck On Splashscreen

My phone is a verizon gs5 SM-G900V and I tried to root it but something (I honestly have no idea) went wrong and now it is stuck on the splash screen. I have tried everything i thought of, doing a factory reset, clearing the cache partition, I tried reinstalling the stock rom using odin but of course because there was no root and the bootloader is locked, I can't reinstall. I tried applying updates using SD no dice. I am able to access the bootloader and the and the android recovery menu if that will help at all. I don't know every acronym/term because i'm still fairly new to these terms so any help will be greatly appreciated.

I'm guessing you are on lollipop because you say you can't downgrade to KitKat aka stock
so what you should do is go to Sammobile and download either lollipop official firmware bok3 or Pb1.
then install via odin in either ap or pda slot
with the phone in download mode after that wait for the Phone to boot then set it up
then use ok3 root method by Jr Kruse on xda it's a sticky in the s5 verizon forum to get root

Installing PF4 MM onto my OK3 5.0

This phone has been such a pain in the ass. My s4 was easy and my sprint s5 was cake to work with. This VZW s5 has been a royal headache.
Im living in a homeless shelter so I really dont wanna end up softbricked overnight before I can try to fix it at the library the next day.
Iam currently downloading a Deodexed/Debloted PF4 Rom for my VZW phone, got it on droidviews, PM me for the link it wont let me post it
So it looks like it has you use flashfire to install the rom and then has you Odin the proper Bootloader. Is this going to work for me?
When I was rooting the phone it had me messing with different kernals and stuff so I just wanted some clarification or something if anybody can provide some.
Thanks,
Raedon

I have both the Roms. The one for the unlocked bootloader and the locked one as well. Is there any easy way to see if my bootloader is unlocked?
Im pretty tech savvy but this **** is ridiculous.

Boot to download mode if you see a line that says developer mode you are bootloader unlocked
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

In download mode it looks like my bootloader is locked. Is installing MM as simple as flashing the rom with flashfire and then flashing the new bootloader in odin?
Sounds like cake for real.

Yes you can install it in flash fire by having the firmware on your device then open flash fire app and click plus symbol in bottom right corner and choose flash firmware and choose the firmware let it check md5
then make sure inject su or root is off
Then click flash
You will lose root if you flash an official mm firmware and there is no way to root mm

Well I softbricked my phone and Im boned until tomorrow. I followed the instructions in the thread
"[How-To] Update to G900V_PF4 - 6.0.1"
It says at the top "**You can begin the following process from any Build/ROM but you must already have Root Access**"
You have to be rooted since it requires FlashFire. I downloaded the locked bootloader version since my bootloader is still locked. Followed all the directions and ended up stuck on the samsung screen. I have 40 minutes to try and fix this until Im stuck all night.
Im just gonna try to put the stock factory PB1 back on with the PB1 bootloader. Id love to get this 6.0.1 on my phone tomorrow tho

Boot to recovery and wipe data and cache
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk